Babineaux pleads no contest

Alex Marvez of FOXSports.com reports that Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux pleaded no contest to one misdemeanor count of marijuana possession on Monday. He was sentenced to a year of probation and a $1500 fine. Babineaux had a felony marijuana possession stemming from a December arrest reduced to three misdemeanor counts. The other two counts will be suspended if he completes the year-long probation.

Marvez reports that Babineaux still could face discipline from the league, but the reduced charges should alleviate some of the harshness of the punishment. ProFootballTalk indicates that Babineaux should face at least a one-game suspension without pay and potentially one-game fine on top it comparable to the recent punishment handed down to Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill, who also received a year of probation from a guilty plea for marijuana possession.